State violence continues despite ceasefire extension by Maoi

[b] Khathmandu, 07 December, (asiantribune.com):[/b] Nepal’s state forces have continued to attack Maoists despite the recent extension of ceasefire by the latter for a month. The ceasefire extension came last week only days after the Royal Nepalese Army gunned down two senior Maoist commanders in western Nepal.

In the most recent conflict-related violence, security forces gunned down two Maoists in Nepal’s western Gorkha district Monday, according to reports. The two are Maoist area in-charge Prakash Pokharel and a member of Maoists’ village people’s government, Shiva Karakheti.

A statement issued Tuesday by the Directorate of Public Relations of the Royal Nepalese Army claimed that the army opened fire at the two after the latter hurled bombs.

The statement also said that 12 Maoists surrendered Monday before district administration in Siraha district. Among those who have surrendered are Maoist area commander Arun Kumar Yadav, zonal logistic commander Mahadev Yadav and area committee members Tarini Yadav and Ram Balak Pal.